What’s better than living in the Midwest? Living in the middle of the Midwest. Milwaukee’s location is awesome. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the beauty and fun that all of Wisconsin has to offer. In Milwaukee the population is growing, and our claim to fame is that only five other states in the country have a higher native born population than Wisconsin. Who would ever want to leave the friendly and welcoming Midwest lifestyle? You will be greeted upon arrival with a friendly hello.

The Third Ward is the historic hot spot in Milwaukee! As Milwaukee’s Arts and Fashion District, the streets are always buzzing with people and events. Located along the river, just south of downtown, you will find warehouse lofts, 500 small businesses, the Milwaukee Public Market, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, the Summerfest grounds, and more. The streets are lined with apartments, boutiques, and restaurants. In 2013, the area was named a Top 12 ArtPlace, recognizing the Third Ward as a community having successfully combined the arts, artists and venues along with independent businesses, restaurants and a walkable lifestyle.

4. Brewery Tours

Look around Milwaukee and you will see breweries galore! Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, Lakefront Brewery, Sprecher Brewery, Milwaukee Brewing Co., Miller Coors, and the Milwaukee Distillery Tour are all cool places to visit and learn about beer! Check out http://www.wisconsinbrewerytours.com/ for a complete list of information about Wisconsin breweries.

5. The Food Scene

Farmers markets, food trucks, and restaurants are around every corner. Milwaukee’s local newspaper even has a Food Truck Central page on their website for people to locate nearby food trucks. Sounds like a good lunch break idea. If you are a fan of great food, the eleven Bartolotta Restaurants in the Milwaukee area are some of the best you can find. Be sure to add a night out at each of these restaurants to your Milwaukee bucket list.

6. The Art Scene

The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of the most recognized Milwaukee landmarks. Overlooking Lake Michigan, the standout architecture is beautiful to photograph no matter what season it is. The museum has a collection of over 30,000 art works ranging from antiquity to contemporary. The sheer beauty of both the architectural design and the work inside makes the Art Museum one of Milwaukee’s most impressive features.

7. The Music Scene

The music venues around Milwaukee exemplify the value of contemporary music paired with historic tradition and architecture. Going to a concert in Milwaukee is as much about the venue as it is the music. Often times, the venue is what transforms a concert into an experience that is about much more than the music. In Milwaukee, you get a full feel of the city when you go to a concert. Check out the Riverside Theater, Shank Hall, The Rave/ Eagles Club, The Miramar Theater, Marcus Amphitheater, and Milwaukee Turners.

8. Educational Excellence

Milwaukee is always buzzing with the energy of students! In comparison to the entire state, the Greater Milwaukee Area is home to the majority of the Top 20 high schools. There are also more than two dozen colleges and universities in the area with over 84,000 students. A few of the largest include the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM), Marquette University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Technical colleges and art and design schools also make an impression on the city. Our claim to fame is that we are among the highest cities in the U.S. and Canada for the number of students per 100 residents.

9. The Harley Davidson Museum

The historic museum located along the Menomonee River Bank is home to over 100 years worth of Harley Davidson artifacts. Each year an estimated 300,000 visitors pass through the Milwaukee museum. There are a number of exhibits including The Motorcycle Gallery, The Engine Room, The Tank Gallery, and The Harley-Davidson Journey. The words “Harley-Davidson” have become synonymous with the city of Milwaukee. Harley products are rooted in the culture and history of the city. The museum provides a story both physically and narratively of this history and culture.

10. The River Walk & Lakefront

The Milwaukee River Walk is one of the most popular and recognized paths to explore downtown. The pedestrian walkway extends for two miles from the Third Ward to Caesars Park. Along the walk, you can enjoy views of colorful public art, shops, restaurants, and (of course) the winding Milwaukee River. Lake Michigan is also beautiful to spend some time around. The Lakefront Trail runs along the shore of Lake Michigan, passing the Milwaukee Art Museum, Veteran's Park, and the McKinley Marina. The view of the Milwaukee skyline from Lake Michigan is stunning, and definitely worthy of a picture.

Are you ready to move to Milwaukee now? We hope you come and enjoy all that the city has to offer! Be sure to keep up with @DiscoverMKE on twitter for more information about the city and what we have going on.

Milwaukee is known for rollerbladers on the lake, bike paths, and yoga studios galore! Why not make exercise part of getting to know the city?

In Milwaukee, both residents and employers have become increasingly focused on wellness and promoting healthy lifestyles. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), has helped Milwaukee to become the largest city in the nation to earn the coveted Well City USA silver-level designation. This title means that across Milwaukee, 30% of the workforce can access formal wellness programs.

Local Health Clubs in the Milwaukee area are great destinations to seek out fitness activities. Elite Sports Clubs have five locations in the Greater Milwaukee area. Their facilities provide sports programs for all ages, over 250 free exercise classes, swimming pools, State-of-the-Art fitness centers, and more. The YMCA is another large contributor in promoting an active lifestyle. The nine centers in Metropolitan Milwaukee support wellness programs, personal training, swimming lessons, and countless activities for individuals and families. The YMCA is an affordable destination for anyone in Milwaukee to get active and live a healthy life.

Bike riding is another large contributor to a healthy Milwaukee! Recently, the downtown area implemented a bike share program called “Bublr Bikes.” The organization is planning to launch at least 100 bike stations throughout Milwaukee and the surrounding suburbs in the next year. If you go to the Bublr website, you can suggest a location for a bike station to be built near you!

If you have a bike for cruising around, be adventurous and enjoy one of the many bike paths around Milwaukee. First, head to mapmyride.com to see 363 different cycling routes in Milwaukee! The site also provides info about Milwaukee weather conditions, cycling events, and cycling stories. The courses are fun and unique to Milwaukee! You can try the “Miler” course, “Milwaukee River West Side,” “Uphill Fun,” or the “MKE River Loop.” Another option is to download the Wisconsin bicycle map for a visual of where trails are located.

Along with biking, yoga is another popular activity among Milwaukee residents. It’s a relaxing form of exercise that strengthens both the body and mind. Take an early morning class to awaken your soul, or go with a group of friends on the weekend to enjoy yoga together. A number of studios can be found around Milwaukee:

Volunteering is a perfect way to meaningfully immerse yourself in a new city and make lasting friendships. It is also a rewarding and impactful way to spend any extra time you might have throughout the week. There are countless opportunities in Milwaukee, and you will definitely find an organization that interests you.

Not sure what opportunities are out there? A great place to find out is by looking online. Head to volunteermatch.org. You'll find 848 local volunteer opportunities in Milwaukee alone! You can search in specific categories such as arts and culture, children and youth, community, education and literacy, health and medicine, and environment. There are even filters to find the perfect volunteer positions for kids, teens, adults, and groups.

Not feeling like searching online? You can take a walk around your community and look for any local nonprofits that might be in the neighborhood. Maybe there is a gardening center, local church, or school that needs your help.

Another way to find opportunities is to directly contact any of the local volunteer centers listed below.

According to Volunteering America, 35.6% of residents in Wisconsin volunteer, ranking them 8th among the 50 states! In 2012, there were 1.62 million volunteers with a total of 165.3 million hours of service. Residents of all ages are involved and committed to making a difference.

Volunteering is all about discovering a passion and using it in a way that can help others. Get out there and connect with the people of Milwaukee! Discover a passion, get involved, and learn about the culture of your new community.

Discover Milwaukee is a collaborative effort of many organizations and advertisers in the area. As you find yourself in the process of relocating to Milwaukee, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our partners listed below, and support them whenever possible. Everyone involved with bringing you Discover Milwaukee is here to help you find the information you need to make your transition into the Milwaukee area as easy as possible.

Request a copy of the publication from our website! It's your complete guide to Milwaukee.

Want to stay connected online? Join our discussions on Discover Milwaukee’s social media sites! We are constantly posting ideas, resources, and articles to make your move to Milwaukee easy and fun. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Below is a list of advertisers and organizations that would love to help you discover Milwaukee! Whether you are looking for an apartment, school, employment opportunity, or restaurant, we’ve got you covered!

Every summer for 160 years, people have embarked on a journey to West Allis, Wisconsin for the annual State Fair. The 11-day event is famous for great food, agriculture, music, rides, games and fun! As the fair came to a close this past weekend, we would like to share all the reasons why the Wisconsin State Fair is enjoyed by so many, year after year!

Half of the total fairgoers are from the Metropolitan Milwaukee area; and almost 90 percent are from Wisconsin. The Fair exemplifies Wisconsin friendliness, adventure, creativity and fun. With so many local residents contributing to the operation and success of the fair, it really brings the entire state together. It all happens for the love of Wisconsin!

The State Fair is home to 57 unique Wisconsin treats you can’t help but enjoy! Since 1924, Cream Puffs (from the original Cream Puff Pavilion) have been the staple food of the fair. Among some of the other interesting bites are:

Despite the bizarre combinations of ingredients and potential hesitation to take the first bite, trying a new food at the fair gives you a one-of-a-kind Wisconsin experience! In 2014, 72 new foods were introduced at the fair! Contrary to out-of-state popular belief, we go beyond just beer and cheese. Wisconsin sure knows how to get creative when it comes to treats!

At the Horticulture, Craft & Culinary Pavilion, fairgoers can take in the sight of textiles, gorgeous flowers, vegetables, cakes and much more. As one of the largest industries in Wisconsin, agriculture is also a center focus at the State Fair. You can find a wide variety of animals to look at and learn about. A number of shows, barn tours and competitions take place. This year cows, horses, donkeys, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and pigs all made an appearance.

Along with the food, crafts, and animals, many people show up for the entertainment! The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Main Stage is a popular spot to see a show. Headliners perform at the fair every year. This year, big names included Aretha Franklin, Alabama, Peter Frampton, and Home Free.

Affordable pricing makes the fair a fun family friendly event year after year. If you didn’t get the chance to visit the Wisconsin State Fair this year, be sure to check it out in 2015! In the meantime, you can follow the fair on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Moving to a new city is often associated with stress. Picking up and heading somewhere completely new can be scary. We are here to give you some tips and suggestions to help you get comfortable with your new home, and make the most of this exciting adventure.

10 ways to settle in once you get here:

1. Make the internet your friend!

The internet is always a good place to start when arriving in a city for the fist time. Google maps and Trip Advisor provide ratings of places, giving you a good idea of what the popular hot spots are around town. However, there is nothing wrong with trying new places you come across, and rating them for yourself. After all, everyone has different preferences, so you won’t know you’re favorite hangouts until you try them all!

Another tip is to get on social media and search for accounts about Milwaukee to follow! You can follow Discover Milwaukee onTwitter, Facebook, andInstagram! Also, spend some time researching information about the city. Find out what Milwaukee is know for and all the great ways you can be part of the Brew City culture!

2. Get the lay of the land!

Explore different areas of the city! Print out a map of Milwaukee and take it out with you. Walk around in search of different locations or go on a bike ride. Find the closest grocery store, park, drug store, movie theater, or gas station. Living in a city like Milwaukee, you will be able to find all of these places within a relatively short distance from each other. Get exploring!

3. Attend Festivals!

Summer in Milwaukee is jam packed with festivals. These cultural celebrations are a great way to get out and meet diverse groups of people from all over Milwaukee. You can see a complete guide to the summer festivals and events on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelwebsite. Think of all the new food to try and cool music to hear! It’s all here waiting for you.

4. Ask Questions!

While you are exploring your new home, go ahead and ask the locals where their favorite places are around Milwaukee. After all, the people who live here know best. People in Milwaukee are very friendly, and exemplify the kind mid-west culture everyone knows and loves. Get out and be curious!

5. Make a Milwaukee bucket list!

While you are doing some walking around and researching, be sure to keep a pen and piece of paper next to you. As you come across places that sound interesting, write them down. A Milwaukee bucket list is a great way to compile every must-see destination. Your time in Milwaukee is sure to be full of adventure and fun if you make it a goal to check one place off the list every week. Maybe go on every brewery tour, become a member at the Milwaukee Art Museum, run a marathon, take a segway tour, see a Brewer's game, or fly a kite on the lakefront! All of these would be Milwaukee bucket list worthy!

6. Volunteer!

The Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee can provide you with countless opportunities. On their website you can browse different organizations and pick one that most interests you! Volunteering is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in a meaningful community within the city.

7. Take mini weekend adventures!

Wisconsin is a beautiful state, and there are countless opportunities for fun! If you have any free time on the weekends, go a little way out of town and see some more of Wisconsin. If you don’t have a car, the Amtrack station downtown is home to a number of trains and buses. Once you get to know the city really well, why not continue exploring!

8. Use public transportation!

The greater Milwaukee area has a bus system that can easily get you around town. Head to the Milwaukee County Transit Systemwebsite and use the trip planner to see which buses can take you from point A to point B. Print out one of the area maps and bring it with you next time you go out. Busses can be an efficient and time saving way to travel.

9. Continue with a hobby, or try a new one!

Whether you are interested in gardening, painting, cooking, running, or writing, you can find somewhere to keep up your hobby in Milwaukee. With all the big changes going on in your life, why not pick up a new hobby as well? Milwaukee is a city full of diverse groups of people, all passionate about different things. You’ll be sure to find new hobbies and new friends along the way!

10. Don’t be stressed or nervous!

You’re not alone! People are constantly relocating to different cities around the country! Milwaukee is a great place to be. Although moving anywhere new takes some time adjusting to, the friendly mid-west culture and the fun Milwaukee atmosphere should make the experience one to remember. Before you become a pro Milwaukeean, enjoy the journey and experience of getting to know an unfamiliar place. Welcome to Brew City!

Milwaukee has countless locations that are pedestrian friendly. The good news is, whether you are in the mood for a casual stroll or a run along the lake, there is a path somewhere that will be perfect for you. The Milwaukee River Walk is one of the most popular and recognized paths to explore downtown. The path extends from the Third Ward to Caesars Park. Other areas including Brady Street on the East side of town, the Historic Third Ward district, and the Milwaukee Lakefront are spacious, easy to get around, and perfect for an enjoyable stroll.

The Lakefront Trail runs along the shore of Lake Michigan, passing the Milwaukee Art Museum, Veteran's Park, and the McKinley Marina. Along the Lakefront you can find bikers, runners, walkers, rollerbladers, and kite-flyers. From the trail there is a beautiful view of the entire city, making your walk a perfect photo opportunity. A number of places to grab something to eat of drink can be found along the Lakefront as well.

Not only is downtown Milwaukee easy to navigate and walk around, eight other Milwaukee neighborhoods have been considered a “walker’s paradise,” and 28 others are said to be “very walkable.” walkscore.com recently surveyed the entire country to find out what cities are the most walkable.

walkscore.com set up a point system to compile a list of the most walkable cities in the country. Points were awarded to each neighborhood based on the number of amenities within a square mile of a central location. These types of amenities consist of grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, schools, businesses, and places to shop. The more amenities in a certain area, the more points the city earns towards the “walkable” score.

Living in a city like Milwaukee, regarded as very walkable, has countless benefits. People in the area can save money because they don’t have to drive cars everywhere and constantly pay for gas. Owning a car is not even necessary to get to most places in the downtown area. Businesses are fairly centrally located, making it easier to get from place to place. Additionally, living in a very walkable city increases the likelihood of contribution to local businesses. While you are out and about on foot, you will be helping local Milwaukee businesses thrive! Just as important is the benefit to becoming familiar with the streets and learning your way around. Soon you will know Milwaukee like the back of your hand. Just start walking!

If you or someone you know is considering moving downtown, check out walkscore.com to see more information about Milwaukee, as well as a full list of the walkable neighborhoods!

Summerfest is a week away, and all people can think about are the great headliners that are coming to town for 11 days of pure perfection! There truly is something for everyone this year at Summerfest! Everyone from the headliners to the side stage acts are worth listening to, and will guarantee you a great time!

But what some people may not know is Summerfest is a lot more than just music. Sure, it's a place where you can enjoy some of your favorite musical artists with 900,000 of your closest friends, but there's more...

Milwaukee is home to some of the greatest restaurants and some great shopping opportunities, and a number of them come to the grounds to help make your Summerfest experience even more enjoyable.

And this is more than just your typical festival food like burgers, hot dogs, and pretzels (while you can find all of those options around the grounds). Many local vendors find innovative ways to share their creations with you.

Last year we experienced the push pop cupcake courtesy of Classy Girl Cupcakes, a quick, easy, one-handed method to enjoy a classic sweet treat. Who knows what new food creations we will get this year!

Summerfest is a great time for visitors and locals a like, but many people don't realize how great Summerfest is for our city. Every year, Summerfest pulls in millions of dollars, and the city of Milwaukee generally gains 110 million dollars through tourists, hotel stays, parking structures, local restaurants (outside the grounds) and more.

While Summerfest does bring in a lot of money for the city, it is a fairly affordable music festival. If you play your cards right, you can get in every day for free. There are plenty of Summerfest sponsored free admission days!

Every year, Summerfest gets bigger and better, it's exciting to think of what will happen this year. Have a great time out there Milwaukee!

Movoto, a national real estate blog, has been working hard to help people evaluate communities. They recently put together a list of the 10 most exciting cities in America, based on a detailed list of quality of life criteria, and Milwaukee made that list.

We know Milwaukee is a fantastic place to live, but you may be surprised to learn that we came in 7th place, directly behind New York City.

These might not be the typical criteria you would use to evaluate a city, but they are all very important to consider about any place. Milwaukee also does a great job at excelling at this evaluation.

The 10 criteria were:

Park acreage per person

Percent of population between 20 and 34 years old

Fast food restaurants per square mile (the fewer the better)

Bars per square mile

Big box stores per square mile (the fewer the better)

Population diversity

Movie theaters per square mile

Museums per square mile

Theater companies per square mile

Music venues per square mile

These are all great outlets to have in a city, and we have them all!

Milwaukee is sent on the beautiful Lake Michigan, and with that comes parks and beaches that are a great place to walk, run, play, and picnic. Veterans Park is beautiful in the summer and the other parks throughout the city, including Pere Marquette Park and Cathedral Square are great places to sit back and enjoy the city. From large to small we have it covered.

Milwaukee is also a great city for young people. Milwaukee has been listed as one of the top cities for new college grads. There are plenty of job opportunities, and the atmosphere of the city is perfect for the younger generation. It is also a very affordable city that offers great living opportunities and amenities for any young person.

There are a few fast food places in Milwaukee, but we don't need them. The number of fantastic, one-of-a-kind places we have in this city is astounding. In the mood for a good burger? Try A.J. Bombers or Sobelmans. You're in the mood for Mexican? Try Bel-Air Cantina or Botanas. We can do so much better than fast food has to offer.

We know that Brew City is the place to go if you want a great bar atmosphere. Everything from Water Street to Brady Street to the Third Ward has a variety of choices. There is something for everyone here, and they are a great place to meet new people and have a great time.

It is not hard to see why Milwaukee is such an exciting place to live. Whether you have lived here forever, are planning a move, are want to come for a visit, this is a city that will be a fantastic place for you!

When moving to a new city, it is important to consider all of the factors when you choose a neighborhood. One of the most important aspects to consider for families is the quality of the high school district they will soon be a part of. Colleges are getting more and more competitive, and going to a great high school is important for a lot of people.

Wisconsin has plenty of impressive schools, the the Southeast Wisconsin area high schools dominate the top 20 high school list in Wisconsin, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Sixteen of the Top 20 schools are in the Greater Milwaukee region. This rating system is based on Advanced Placement Test scores and other college entrance exam scores.

Whether you are looking for a change, a new job, or a great school for your family, we have plenty of opportunities for your family in these high school districts. The Greater Milwaukee area is a great place for you and your family to grow. Discover Milwaukee can help you find that perfect place for you and your family.

The third installment of NEWaukee's Young Professionals Week has been a thrilling success. The final counts announced that over 4,000 young professionals came out to the event, participating in everything from yoga to lunches and talks and performances on such a wide range of topics.

Every YP week to date has been a success, but this year's blew its predecessors out of the water. Over the course of the week, 34 events were carried out successfully, and with the highest attendance in the history of YP Week.

If next year you are looking for a great professional event to attend, be sure to consider being a part of YP Week 2015, which is sure to be a great success!

Participating in volunteer opportunities, Milwaukee tours, networking events, fitness classes, reverse job fairs, and getting plenty of free coffee is a great way to expand your contacts and learn more about the wonderful city of Milwaukee.

While YP Week 2015 might be a year away, NEWaukee is a great organization that puts on plenty of events, both professional and social, throughout the year. Take the plunge and become a member! You won't regret it!

Are you a young professional in Milwaukee? Are you an established professional in Milwaukee? Do you just live in the city and love it to pieces? Then I have the thing for you! Have you heard of NEWaukee? They are a social architecture firm that shows the world what Milwaukee has to offer! Social architecture is the conscious design of a place (Milwaukee) that encourages a desired range of behaviors (How People Work, Live & Play) leading towards a goal (To Make Milwaukee More Awesome!). They help people realize the potential that Milwaukee has, and empowers residents to shape the city into what we want it to be! It is free to join this organization, and they will keep you up to date on professional and social programs and initiatives through their weekly newsletters!

NEWaukee started as a way to socialize and explore the city without the pressure of professionally networking. This helps form lasting relationships and is a great way to really take in Milwaukee. They now have all kinds of programs including large scale festivals, excursions, and networking opportunities...which brings us to YP Week!

Young professionals are the driving force to make Milwaukee a fantastic city! YP Week (Young Professionals will be held from April 12-19. There will be 30 events, at 25 locations, for young professionals in our city to attend! It will be the week of your life! The programs are being hosted by local, young experts, from a variety of fields, to encourage their peers to join the leaders of this new generation. A perk to all of this, it's FREE! You simply have to register for the event(s) you are planning to attend, but there is no cost to you (they are even providing coffee and lunch to go along with your networking). Check out the schedule of events here and make sure to sign up soon, because the spots are filling up fast!

There is no excuse not to attend this great program, and there is no excuse not to join NEWaukee. Come out and open your eyes to the incredible potential our city holds and experience it with a group of wonderful people!

The Greater Milwaukee region is blessed with an abundance of wonderful places to work. Every year, our award winning paper the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel publishes a list of the best work places in southeastern Wisconsin. The 2014 list isn't out just yet, but you can learn more about the companies who earned this distinction by reading the entire list and watch videos from satisfied employees here.

We have some very big names in Milwaukee, including Shorewest Realtors, who earned the top spot in the large company category in 2013. Aurora Health Care and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin are among leaders in the financial industry. Despite being very large companies, these organizations go above and beyond to make their employees feel at home.

With all of the responses The Journal Sentinel received, they compiled a list of over 100 companies. Employees are very proud to work for these companies; companies that respect their employees, build family-like bonds, and maintain strong business practices.

In addition to recognition as a top employer locally, a handful of Milwaukee companies also made the nation's top 150 workplaces of 2013. A large factor in employees recommending their workplace for one of the top 150 was the fact that they feel like they are a valued part of the community.

Be sure to read more about the companies featured in the Career Opportunities section of this website; including ABB, Kohl's, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. These companies are actively looking for top talent and would love to hear from you!

Satisfied employees today feel appreciated and know that what they are doing matters. You'll find many wonderful employment opportunities across many industries and professions here in the greater Milwaukee area.

Like most major cities, you don't need a car to successfully navigate around the city of Milwaukee. The city have an extensive bus system that can get you almost anywhere you need to go. It is very inexpensive and is the most convenient way to navigate around the city.

The Milwaukee County Bus System has made it very easy for riders. Their website helps you find all the right stops and provides you with many options to get from point A to B. If you are interested in knowing bus information on the go, the Milwaukee County Transit System works very well on mobile phones and there are multiple apps that can help you navigate the system. Google maps also has access to the bus routes and times so there are plenty of ways to stay connected.

If taking the bus isn't where your interests lie, there are other methods as well. There are plenty of cab companies in the city, but cabs are typically more expensive than the bus. They are a great way to get from one place to the other with a short wait.

In addition to your typical yellow cab service, Milwaukee has just begun using Uber Car. It is a cashless ride service. You register through your app and click on their map where you are and someone will come to pick you up. All of the payment is covered through the app with your credit card. It is very convenient and always reliable. This is very new for Milwaukee, but the service has thrived in Chicago and other major cities for years!

Not only does our city offer extensive local bus routes, there are also a number of regional bus routes that stop here as well. Getting to Chicago, Madison, or anywhere else for that matter, isn't as difficult as you would think. Between Greyhound and Badger Bus, we have connections to plenty of major cities and routes throughout the entire country.

While we do not have a train system to navigate our city yet, we do have an Amtrak line. Amtrak's Hiawatha Service goes from Milwaukee to Chicago's Union Station many times a day. This is a great connection to reach out to a greater variety of places if you are looking for a quick get away. Chicago's Union Station is a short ride from here and can connect you to train lines that can take you anywhere in the country! The Milwaukee Amtrak station is centrally located on St. Paul Avenue downtown and has plenty of parking, drop off locations, and access to bus lines.

Amtrak is also a convenient way to get to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. It is just a 15 minute ride and then an easy shuttle to your terminal. Milwaukee has everything covered. Milwaukee can get you anywhere you would ever want to go, but why would you ever want to leave?

It's finally Spring Milwaukee! With that comes spring cleaning and beautification! Have you heard about the Realtors Home & Garden Show? It is going on from now till March 30 at the State Fair Grounds.

Come on out and enjoy professional advice on everything from advice on selling your home to outdoor cooking. This is the place to go for all of your spring home improvement needs. There will be plenty of seminars and exhibitors there to answer questions you didn't even know you had.

If you know everything you need to know when it comes to spring beautification, you can still find something to peak your interests. The show's Garden Market will be offering a wide selection of garden decorations, tools, pottery, plants, and more! The shops will all be filled with one of a kind treasures that you won't want to miss out on.

There will also be an Antiques and Arts Show during this event. Even if it is just to wander through, there will be hundreds of pieces ranging from all interests. There will also be a full displays from private collectors. This is a once in a life chance to see some of these pieces!

Admission for this show is only $8 but there is a coupon available for discounted admission here! Make sure you take advantage of this fantastic show! See you there!

What do you know about Discover Milwaukee? Do you know that we are an organization dedicated to helping people move to Milwaukee? Do you know that we have some great connections in the world of real estate and can help you find a place to call your own?

We have done all the hard work for you. We have looked into apartments and homes. We have checked out the school districts. We keep you in the loop with all the Milwaukee happenings and attractions, too!

Milwaukee is one of a kind in so many ways, and it will only get better with you in our city too! We've got festivals, museums, breweries, restaurants, music, theater, and so much more! No matter what you are interested in, you will fit right in!

HELPING YOU GET HERE IS WHERE WE COME IN!

Our book is available in print and via our website digitally. It is there for you to use and we are here to help answer your questions along the way! This year's updated publication is out now! Make sure to request your copy of our book from our website in order to keep up with all of the great work that comes out of Discover Milwaukee!

If you have been following the news recently, you will know about the recent theft of a rare Stradivarius violin. It was safely recovered and returned to its current owner, Frank Almond. This event opened up the eyes of many people to the arts scene in Milwaukee. Our city is known for our sports, our food, and our beer. People don't always think about Milwaukee as a city with a high ranking art scene.

While it depends on what art scene you are personally interested it, Milwaukee has a lot to offer. Across the city, on weekends and weeknights alike, wonderful local bands can be found at countless bars and restaurants. But that is just the tip of the ice burg.

If we are sticking to music, we need to move past the obvious. Milwaukee is famous for its festivals, especially Summerfest! This is one big musical event that gets a lot of attention. But, there are plenty of other musical appeals during the rest of the year too! Milwaukee has plenty of venues like, The Pabst Theater, The Miramar Theater, The Rave, The Turner Hall Ballrooms, The Riverside Theater, and The Bradley Center. We have a lot of big names that come through our city, and their shows are fantastic! That covers one aspect of music, but there is more, like classical.

We have two world-class classical groups in Milwaukee: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Fine Arts Quartet. There are groups that play the classics. They are full of talent and passion, and every performance is a treat. They also have an abundance of guests that join them, which makes them all the more impressive. Keeping with the classics, let's talk about ballet. The Milwaukee Ballet has some incredible talent. They may not be the largest company in the country, but they perform wonderful, artistic pieces. Every show is something special!

Next we jump over to the world of theater. There are numerous venues across the city you can go to take in a show. The Milwaukee Theater, The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and The Skylight Theater are just a few. Already this year we have had great shows like Evita, In The Heights, End of the Rainbow, and on the 28th will be the opening night of An Iliad. We are well stocked with theater performances, and there is always something for everyone. Each of the venues is unique in it's own way, and all are guaranteed to be a great experience!

Milwaukee always has something to offer everyone that comes to visit. Our arts programs are fantastic, and sometimes under appreciated. It's important to know what your city has to offer you, otherwise you will miss out on wonderful performances and memories. So the next time you are planning a fun night out, check out any of these venues to indulge in the arts!

Moving to a new city is fun and exciting! You get to discover new places, meet new people and try new things. Milwaukee can be that new city for you. With a new city comes finding a new home, whether that be a studio, a condo, or a house. Finding a perfect home is can be an overwhelming experience. How many times have you walked into a potential gem and decided you didn’t like the carpet, or the windows, or the appliances? Sometimes those things have to be overlooked at the beginning, with the promise of a remodel of some sort along the way.

But you’re in a new city. Maybe you have never needed to replace your carpet before. Maybe you have never had to configure what you would like your landscaping to look like. And who do you call to help you take care of all this? Remodeling isn't always cheap. If you don’t know who to call to help you, it could be more difficult than necessary. You could Google these sorts of things and look at reviews of local contractors, but wouldn’t you rather meet them first hand and see if their work is really what you want?

Any remodel job is an important decision, and the NARI Home Improvement Show is here to help with all that. From February 13-16 at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at the State Fair Grounds, the leading home improvement and remodeling agencies will be available to answer your questions and help you figure out what you want to do with your home to really make it one of a kind, and just what you want.

If you are new to the Milwaukee area, we know you are going to want to stay for as long as possible, so why not make your home the best it can be? The nice folks at the NARI Home Improvement Show are here to help you get your home to that point. Be sure to stop by to take advantage of their insight and assistance!

It has endless possibilities for the people who choose to live here, and a lot of those people are students. Every year over 70,000 students come from near and far to attend the prestigious colleges and universities that call Milwaukee home. From UW-Milwaukee on the East Side to Marquette University and Milwaukee School of Engineering Downtown, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in the Third Ward, Cardinal Stritch University on the North Side, and Alverno College and Mount Mary College on the West side, perspective college students have plenty of options.

Choosing a school can be a huge decision for any 17 or 18-year-old. That decision will help shape the rest of their life. The schools in Milwaukee have wonderful reputations to back them, but the CITY of Milwaukee is a huge draw in itself. Students have access to easy public transportation, lake front views, varieties of entertainment, an abundance of festivals throughout the year, renowned restaurants from one end of the city to the other, impressive professional sports teams, multiple music and theater venues, and the prospect of a GREAT job after graduation.

As a student attending school in Milwaukee, I have been exposed to more than I expected coming from a small suburb of Chicago. Some people say Milwaukee is too small. I think it's perfect! I have been living here for years, and I am still finding new things to love about this place. The more students branch out from their campuses, the more they can REALLY appreciate this city. We have a beautiful art museum, a great public museum, and impressive zoo, and countless other forms of entertainment at our fingertips. Milwaukee isn't a "college town" like some places in the country, but it is a great city for a college student to live. We have all the perks that go with living in a city combined with a typical campus feel is the best combination a student can get.

I chose to move to Milwaukee for my educational career, but it has given me so much, I don't know if I ever want to leave. Sure, the school that I chose to attend makes a big difference, but if you were to ask other college students across the city, I'm sure their answer would be the same. We love it here. Over the summer, The Milwaukee Business Journal had a very interesting article aimed at college students. Milwaukee is one of the top 10 cities to hire college graduates in the country! Students, like me, that have built connections over their 4+ years of Milwaukee education certainly have an upper hand here. Milwaukee is searching for new, young, and exciting talent. There are over 70,000 of us that have the opportunity to land these prestigious positions. This is an opportunity that no one should pass up. When I think about how much this city has done for me, and given me, I can't think of anywhere I would rather go to put my talents to good use.

As high school seniors are making their choices for next year, they should really consider coming to one of the many Milwaukee schools. It is where you will meet friends you will keep forever, create enough memories to last a lifetime, and find a place to put down roots (both personally and professionally). Milwaukee has been around for 168 years, but it's still a growing city, filled with opportunities for younger generations looking to spread their wings. I can't imagine completing my undergraduate career anywhere else.

January 30th, 2014 is the city of Milwaukee's 168th birthday. This is a city with a rich history and infinite sources of entertainment. To celebrate with Milwaukee this year, see how many items on this list you can accomplish. Good luck and tell your friends!